Gerry Harvey, Chairman

Dynamic and famously down-to-earth, Gerry Harvey’s name is synonymous with retail success as co-founder, chairman and major shareholder of the fast-growing Harvey Norman integrated retail, franchise and property group, which posted a December 2007 half-year profit from underlying business operations of $174.14 million – up from $132.87 million for the previous half-year period.

Harvey began his retailing career in 1961. Harvey Norman now has 193 franchised complexes throughout Australia and 61 company-owned stores in 5 offshore markets; total value of the Harvey Norman property portfolio, primarily retail complexes, is $1.56 billion.

Harvey Norman’s inventive and modern approach combined with an emphasis on people has proven to be an unbeatable formula -- one that has been applied to Magic Millions with stunning effect.

Since purchasing Magic Millions in 1997, the Gold Coast-based auction house has emerged as one of the world’s most respected and innovative sale companies, successfully consolidating market share in Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania and in Singapore and Malaysia.

With around 900 horses including some 300 well-bred matrons at his historic Baramul Stud in the NSW Widden Valley, Harvey is among Australia’s biggest and most successful owner-breeders, recently extending his bloodstock portfolio to part-ownership of blue-ribbon stud farm Vinery.

Group 1 winners Polar Success, Lotteria and Savabeel are among horses Harvey has bred or owned, along with last season’s Group 1 placed two-year-old Solo Flyer.

Under Harvey’s guidance, the spectacular property Baramul has enjoyed a resurgence as a leading consignor; selling horses such as impeccably-bred Arlington for $1.55 million.

Harvey’s indefatigable energy has resulted in successful ventures into property development, tourism and beef production, but the retail king particularly relishes being part of the annual action at Magic Millions.

John Singleton, Director

John Singleton was the founding shareholder and a prior director of STW Communications Group Limited (STW), a publicly listed company on the Australian Stock Exchange. STW owns a controlling interest in Singleton Ogilvy & Mather, one of Australia's largest advertising and communications companies.

John Singleton is the major shareholder of the Macquarie Radio network – which operates Radio 2GB and Radio 2CH in Sydney. John is also a Director and a major shareholder of the Magic Millions Group and Pleasure State Group, Australia’s leading lingerie manufacturer and exporter.

John Singleton has served on the Board of John Fairfax Holdings Limited, the Sydney Opera House and Television and Telecasters Limited (Channel 10). He was also a member of the Australian Olympic Committee for 2000 and the Chairman of The Commonwealth Games Committee for 1998.

John Singleton was awarded the Order of Australia in 1994 for service to the community through personal support and fundraising activities for charitable, sporting and research organisations and was also awarded the Australian Olympic Committee, Prime Ministers Sports medal in 2000.

Singleton’s famous zest for life gains full expression through his considerable bloodstock interests as owner of boutique Mt White property Strawberry Hill and part-owner of Vinery Stud in the Segenhoe Valley in NSW.

His passion for horses – whether standing in the paddock admiring his mares such as Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel or celebrating a victory in the winner’s enclosure – is unmistakable.

He has enjoyed success at racing’s elite level with fillies including Sunday Joy, Belle du Jour, Ha Ha, and, earlier, the international star Strawberry Road.

At present Singleton is relishing the autumn campaign of Publishing, a colt he bred and co-owns with high-profile racing man Lloyd Williams.

Singleton has been instrumental in the growth of Magic Millions as a major Queensland event and one that attracts an increasing number of visitors from abroad. He once described the carnival as “the Melbourne Cup in shorts”.

Rob Ferguson, Director

Rob Ferguson is perceived as the quiet third element of a high-profile triumvirate, but the accomplished executive reveals he thrives best in “a buzzy, active environment” and his role in the continued growth and robust position of Magic Millions cannot be under-estimated.

"I like having my teeth into something I can focus on," he has said. "I work better when I'm driven by a need to perform for the group - the whole team thing."

Appointed executive chairman of litigation funding group IMF Australia in June 2007, Ferguson has served with distinction on the boards of Vodafone Australia and Westfield Holding.

Ferguson’s brief at IMF is to review the potential of IMF to expand its business in litigation funding activities in Australia and offshore and to review diversification opportunities.

Ferguson joined Banker’s Trust in 1972 and held the position of chairman from 1985 to 1999.

Ferguson’s racing interests extend to being a director on Racing NSW. He is a successful consignor of Group 1 horses such as Nick’s Joy and has enjoyed success at the highest pinnacle as part-owner of the 2001 Golden Slipper winner Ha Ha.

Ferguson holds an Honours Degree in Economics from Sydney University and is a Fellow of the Securities Institute of Australia.

He is also deputy chairman of The Sydney Institute.